The Zentralverband Elektrotechnik und Elektronikindustrie [German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturer’s Association] reports that the turnover in March with semiconductors was approximately the same as in the previous month, being 12% below the value of March 2007. Cumulated, the growth in Germany in the first 3 months of the year 2008 was 12% less than in the same time period of the previous year. The Book-to-Bill ratio in the past month was 0.96 below that of the previous month. Thus, the hopes of the ZVEI for a near-term improvement have not been fulfilled. The current trend in direction of a double-figure minus continues. This affects in equal proportions the ICs as well as the discrete/opto semiconductors. The cumulative growth of the semiconductor market in Germany, calculated in Dollars, was equal to zero.
